C.B.P. News Release

CBP Officers at the Hidalgo International Bridge Seize $1.5 Million in Cocaine and Methamphetamine – Two Men Arrested

(Monday, July 26, 2010)
Hidalgo, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge seized 44.5 pounds of cocaine and 9 pounds of methamphetamine in two separate and unrelated enforcement actions. The cocaine was valued at $1.4 million and the methamphetamine at $162,000.

On July 24, 2010, CBP officers working at the Hidalgo International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 2008 Chevrolet HHR 4-door sedan and its male driver, a 24-year-old Mexican citizen from San Antonio, Texas. After the initial primary examination, a CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver to secondary for further inspection. While in secondary, officers seized 17 packages containing cocaine that were found hidden within the vehicle. The vehicle was seized by CBP.

On July 25, 2010, Hidalgo CBP officers came in contact with a northbound 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck and its driver, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen from National City, California. A CBP officer referred the driver and vehicle to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, officers seized six packages containing methamphetamine that were found hidden in the vehicle’s battery. The Dodge pickup truck was seized by CBP.

The drivers, in both enforcement actions, were transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further investigation.

Hector A. Mancha, CBP Port Director, Hidalgo-Pharr said, “Our CBP frontline officers remain in the forefront and continue to prevent prohibited items such as these from entering our country and our communities.â€